Nemacolin (Bowman's) Castle

Overlooking the Monongahela River, Nemacolin Castle stands proudly as silent witness to Brownsville’s historic past.
Within the spacious interior are twenty-two furnished rooms which reflect early life in America from Colonial times to the late Victorian era. Included in the collection are many original Bowman family furnishings.

In 1789, Jacob Bowman, a pioneer merchant from Hagerstown, Maryland, built a frontier trading post on the approximate site of Old Fort Burd. Active in business and commerce, Bowman was an important figure in the early development of Brownsville.
In 1795 President Washington named Bowman Brownsville’s first postmaster. In the years that followed, a mansion was built around the simplistic trading post. For several generations, the castle was home to the Bowman family.

Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open to the public. Nemacolin Castle stands in the block between Brashear and Front Streets in Brownsville, Pennsylvania.

Candlelight tours are available for ten evenings beginning the day after Thanksgiving from 4pm to 9pm.
Tours for groups of 2 or more may be arranged at other times. Group rates are available. Please call (724) 785-6882 for information on special events and festivals.

In any Journey through the area of Return to the Turn of a Century©, a visitor must enjoy this Monongahela River town by taking in its attractions, historic areas and festivals. And in doing so always begin with Nemacolin Castle the crown jewel of this historic city, on Front St. over looking the Monongahela River. The site itself is steeped in history, once the location of Indian burial grounds and fortifications, the area was the intended destination of Chief Nemacolin when he guided the Cresap expeditions across the mountains, establishing the Nemacolin Trail which later became the approximate route of the National Road. In 1759, during the French and Indian Wars, Fort Burd was constructed very near the Castle's current site. In 1780, Jacob Bowman purchased a building lot from Thomas Brown, co founder of Brownsville for 23 English pounds. He named the site in honor of Chief Nemacolin, setting up a trading post and later building the Castle around it. (Ed. Note: More about Jacob Bowman in our next issue.) As Bowman's wealth grew, so did his family, and what is now the center section of the house was added as living space. About 1850, the home's famous tower and a formal Victorian wing were added by his second generation. Nemacolin Castle is unique in that three distinct time periods are represented in the interior design and furnishings. Through the generosity of Bowman heirs, family portraits, much furniture, and accessories and clothing have been restored to the home. In the trading post, visitors can see German tavern chairs, chopping block, and a pewter plate brought from Hagerstown, Md. by Jacob Bowman in 1786. A beautiful canopied bed, early sampler, crockery and clothing from as early as 1840 are also on exhibit. The elegance of the Victorian era is evident with marble statues from Italy, a hand gilded tilt top table inset with mother of pearl, the 1840 Chickering square grand piano and the famous "Bishop's Bed." The gilded chandeliers in the Victorian wing, although electrified, are the original gasoliers. All woodwork, fireplaces and windows are intact. The grounds, enclosed by a beautiful old stonewall are filled with lilies, peonies, roses, and two Chinese Gingko trees over 100 years old. The Brownsville Garden Club maintains a lovely herb garden. Excellent guided tours are available from 11 am to 5 PM, Sat. Sun. Easter through mid October. Weekday tours are available only from Tuesday through Friday through August. Plan a minimum of one hour for your tour. A modest Admission fee is charged. Group rates are available and tours may be arranged at other times and dates for groups of 20 or more. Call 724 785-6882 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overlooking the Monogahela River, Nemacolin Castle stands proudly as silent witness to Brownsville's historic past.

Within the spacious interior are twenty-two furnished rooms which reflect early life in America from Colonial times to the late Victorian era. Included in the collection are many original Bowman family furnishings.

In 1789, Jacob Bowman, a pioneer merchant from Hagerstown, Maryland, built a frontier trading post on the approximate site of Old Fort Burd. Active in business and commerce, Bowman was an important figure in the early development of Brownsville. In 1795 President Washington named Bowman Brownsville's first postmaster. In the years that followed, a mansion was built around the simplistic trading post.

For several generations, the castle was home to the Bowman family. Today, it is listed on the Nationl Register of Historic Places and is open to the public.

Contact Information

The hours are Saturday & Sunday from 11am to 5pm between Easter and Mid-October; Tuesday thru Sunday during June, July and August.

Brownsville Historical Society
P.O. Box 24
Brownsville, PA 15417
Phone 724-785-6882

Directions from the Inne at Watson's Choice

See directions to Historic Brownsville

While you're in the area, you might check out these attractions.

• Historic Brownsville
• Searight Tollhouse
• Flatiron Building
• Dunlap Creek Bridge

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